Actor Michael Sheen is set to return to the Cardiff stage next month in the role of Owain Glyndwr, the last Welsh-born Prince of Wales, in the production "Owain & Henry" at the Donald Gordon Theatre beginning November 5. Sheen, who has recently relocated from the United States back to South Wales, is expected to use the publicity surrounding the show to renew his criticism of Prince William’s use of the Prince of Wales title.
In 2020, Sheen publicly returned his OBE as a form of protest against the English royal family's claim to the Welsh title. Sources close to the actor say his opposition is not personal toward Prince William but centers on the significance of the title itself. The timing of Sheen's run in Cardiff may coincide with Prince William attending one of Wales's international rugby matches in the capital, an event where he has long been a patron of the team.
Separately, Tom Baker, best known for his role as the Fourth Doctor on "Doctor Who," offered a dismissive remark about the show's current status and its recent actors. Despite the show’s uncertain future, Baker joked that he was under the impression no other actors had succeeded him in the role. His comments highlight ongoing debates among fans and former cast members about the direction and legacy of the long-running science fiction series.
In other cultural news, author Kathy Lette, originally from Australia, is preparing for potential holiday tension with a North London neighbor following a dispute last year over extensive Christmas decorations, including thousands of fairy lights and a large illuminated Santa sleigh. Lette noted that the neighbor has since extended an invitation for Christmas drinks, presenting an opportunity for reconciliation.
Meanwhile, broadcaster and author Gyles Brandreth shared that he and his wife Michele, married for 53 years, maintain their relationship through regular joint boxing sessions with a personal trainer, which he suggested is a positive alternative to couples’ therapy.
Olivia Harrison, widow of George Harrison of The Beatles, is commemorating the 25th anniversary of the musician’s passing next month by attending to a collection of garden gnomes at their Friar Park estate in Oxfordshire. She revealed she is having some of the original gnomes restored, highlighting their historical significance to the property.
In the political and entertainment crossover sphere, former Chancellor George Osborne has expressed admiration for "Celebrity Traitors" contestant Maya Jama. Meeting Jama at the British Museum café, Osborne remarked on her compelling storytelling about the show, joking that he and former Prime Minister David Cameron could have benefited from having her presence during their time in office.